Dish-washing machine.



Y No. 695,400.` lPatentml Mar. ".1902:

- C. B. KNOTT.

' msu wAsHlNsMAcmNE. (Application led Nv. 13, *1899, Ranewed Jan. 22,1902.)

5 Sheets-Sheet I.'

.W n HA 0I. A

(N0 Model.)

No. 095,400. Paienfed Mar. n, |902.

c. KN0TT. DISH WASHING MACHINE.

(Apglication ied Nov. 13, 1899. Renewed Ja. 22, 1902.) (No Model.) I 5ShpS-Sheef 2.

TH: NoRms PETERslcO., PHUTOILITHQA, WASHINGTON, D, c,

y No.- 695,400. l Patented Mar. n, 902.

c. B. Know.

nlsH WASHING mamma.v

(Application tiled Nov. 18, 1899*. y Rcnewed Jgn. 22, 1902.) (No Model.)5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

THE NuRms Ferias co., Mom-LITRO.. WASNINUTUN. u. c.

- 1 Patented Mar. |902.. C. B. KNOTT. DISHy WASHING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 13, 1899. Renewed Jan. 22, 1902.)

LND Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

TH: Nonms PUERS oo, PNoTo-Lnjno.. wASHmaYoN. n, a

No. 695,400. Patented Mar. 190i'.

C. B. KNUTT.

DISH WASHING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 13, 1899. Renewed Jan. 22, 1902.)

(Nu Model.) 5 Sheets-Shet 5.

' 1TH: Nonkls PErERS co.. PHOTO-LITHLL wAsNlNauN, D4 ci' Y [NVE/WOR y@MW/@M CLARENCE B. KNOTT,

or NEw YORK, N. Y.

DISH-WASHING IVI'AGHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 695,400, dated March 11,1902. Application filed November 13, 1899. Reneweddanuary 22, 1902.Serial No. 90,835. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concer-n: Be it known that I, CLARENCE B. KNorr, acitizen of the United-Statesof America, re. siding in New York cityfinthe county and State of New York, have'invent'ed a new and. usefulImprovement in Dish-Washing Ma-v chines, of which the following is aspecification.

My object is to provide a machine which while in continuous motion willindiscrimi-4 nately receive, grasp, and wash various sizes and kinds ofeating utensils-such as knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, saucers,pitchers, bowls, glasses, &c.much more rapidly and with comparativelylittle labor and liability to breakage and chipping them.

A further object of my invention is to make the machineselfcleaning,whereby the water in the washing-tank will not become foulas. quickly as in machines of this kind formerly used.

These purposes are accomplished through the medium of a pair ofoppositely-disposed aprons or conveyers which contin uously movetogether with dishes between them through a washing compartment or tank,in centreetion with certain other peculiar features whereby dishesentered at one end of the ma-` chine are grasped, held apart from oneyan other, and washed while in transit and then passed out at the otherend of the machine, ali of which will be more fully describedhereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation of mycomplete invention; Fig. 2, atop view thereof; Fig. 3, a longitudinalvertical section of the machine; Fig. 4, an end view of the machine inwhich some parts of it are removed and others shown in section -tobetter illustrate the mechanism; Fig. 5, a top view of the agitator, apart of which is cut away to better show the apertures through which theysuds or washing agent is forced to flow. Fig. 6 is a detail Viewshowing the manner of attaching one of the brush-hangers; Fig. 7, adetail View of a portion of one of the dish-conveyers, and Fig. 8 is aview of a cushioning or catching device upon which any dishes that mayescape the operator at the receiving end ion legs 3.

will fall. Fig. 9 is 'a detail View of the adjustablebearing. i g

The reference-numeral l represents a sudstank or washing-compartmentsupported in any suitablev frame, such as 2, and mounted This tank isadapted to hold the washing fluid, consisting, preferably, of hot watercontaining soap and soda. The dishes are carried down through the fluidby a pair of endless conveyers 4 and 5, placed one above the other insuch a manner that the bottom of the upper conveyer lies upon the top ofthe lower conveyer, and. the two will travel slowly together through thetank with dishes between them. Both conveyers are composed ofnoncorrodable network, preferably brass, through the open meshes ofwhich the washing Huid will pass to attack the dishes upon all sides.The edges of both Vconveyers are provided with sprocketchains 6, bywhich they are propelled and kept at the proper longitudinal tension.The chains areprevented from being drawn off the sprocket-wheels overwhich they pass by .transverse span-bars 15', which have their oppositeends attached to the links of the chain andare arched to allow for thespreading of the conveyers when the dishes are between them. The chainsof the upper conveyer pass over four sprocket-wheels 7, 8, 9,@and 10.The upper wheels 7 and 8 are mounted in bearings supported on verticaladjustingescrews 7' and 8', whereby the wheels can be raised or loweredto tighten or loosen the conveyer. The lower sprocketwheels 9 and 10 areof larger diameter than the upper wheels, so that their lowermostportions will carry the conveyers down into the fluid inthe tank l andwill also lie far enough IOO at the receiving end of the machine and adischarge portion 5 at the discharge end of the machine.

11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, and 17 are the sprocketwheels over which thelower-conveyer chains pass. rlhe sprocket-wheel 16 is mounted inadjustable bearings 16', provided with oblong slots 16", through whichthe set-screws 16 pass.

The tank is heated by steam-pipes 50, 1ocated in the bottom thereof.These pipes are perforated to permit small jets of steam to escape intoand heat the washing iiuid submerging them. The hot iiuid in the tank 1may be projected against the dishes in various Ways; but I prefer to doit with an agitator suspended by hangers 18. The agitator willreciprocate below the lowermost portion of the aprons or conveyers. Thehangers swing from the shafts 9 and 10', on which the largesprocket-wheels 9 and 10 are ixed. The means for actuating the agitatorconsist of a pitman 19, connected to a crank 2O on a shaft 21, whichshaft is provided with a pinion 23, interposed between and meshing withthe contiguous sides ofthe two large sprocketwheels 9 and 10. Theagitator, as better shown in Fig.` 5, consists of a rectangular frame24, open at the top and bottom and containing several vanes 21, each ofwhich has a series of apertures 25, through which the washing solutionin the tank flows, as indicated by arrows. Oheck-valves 26 on one sideof the series of vanes coperate with one half of the series of aperturesand a similar set of,check Valves 27 on the opposite side of the vanescooperate with the other half of the series of apertures, so that whenthe agitator is moved in one direction one set of valves closes, whilethe other set opens, driving the iluid in a continuous direction andproducing a cyclonic whirl, such as denoted by arrows, and projectingthe iuid against the slowly-passing dishes while they are held in theirisolated positions between the network of the conveyors.

At the front or receiving end of the machine are located two largerevoluble feed-` brushes 28 and 29, which serve to receive the dishesfrom the hand ot' the operator and direct them independently of oneanother down upon the conveyer below. The brush 29 bears against bothconveyers and scrubs them. This scrubbing action of the brushes willprevent the formation on the conveyers of a film which would leave amark on the dishes, an objection common to the wire brackets used toimmerse dishes in tanks. These brushes also serve to give the dishes apreliminary scrubbing before they enter the tank. One of thefeed-brushes 28 isjournaled in fixed bearings 28 and 28, and the other,

29, is journaled in the free ends of oscillating arms 29 and 29", thelatter being pivoted at 29" to move toward and from the stationary brush28, a coil-spring 29 holding it normally against the latter, whereby thebrushes will accommodate themselves to various sizes of dishes. Thefixed brush operates upon the top of the lower apron or conveyer andbrushes off the adhering particles of.' food which it brings up from thetank. The stationary brush is revolved by a short belt 30, passingaround pulley 30 on the shaft of the sprocket-wheel 14C, together with apulley 30" on the shaft of the brush 28. The bristles of both brushesmesh, and hence motion is communicated from one to the other. Asprinkler 3l overhangs the brushes and projects hot water on the dishesbefore they are entered 'between the brushes and also Washes the latter.Sprinklers 32 and are disposed, respectively, above and below theconveyors at the discharge end ofthe machine and over a tank 34 for thepurpose of rinsing the dishes after they have passed through thesuds-tank. These rinsing-sprinklers may be connected with a pump 32',which draws the water from the tank 34E, into which much of it fallsafter having rinsed the dishes.

3l' and 31 are the supply-pipes for furnishing hot water to thesprinklers. It is also obvious that pipe 34E may be connected with anyhot-water supply and the pump dispensed with, in which event the tank34; could be drained, as occasion might require it, by opening cock 34,The action of the sprinklers is controlled by a horizontal rod 35, whichextends along the side of the frame of the machine and is provided withoperating-knobs 35 at its opposite ends. The rod is provided at themiddle with a worm SG, which meshes with a pinion 36 on the stem of athree-way cock 36 at the junction of the pipes 34 and 34", whereby anoperator stationed at either end can control the sprin klers by merelyturning the knobs.

A cushioning device 401s disposed underneath the discharge end of thelower conveyor to receive those dishes which might escape the operator.This device consists of a standard 40', on which is mounted a revolvinghorizontal table 41, covered with vertical bristles 42. Dishes fallingon the table can be quickly moved out of the way of succeeding dishes byrevolving the table.

The Whole machine is actuated by a pulley 22 on the shaft 11, whichcarries the sprocket wheels 11.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Having rst supplied thetank. with Water containing the proper amount of soap and soda andheated the Water by the jets of steam and having started the machine,thc

agitator will soon churn up the solution to the required degree. Thesprinklers being now turned on, the dishes should be passed under themto give them a preliminary flushing and thence between the brushes 28and 29. From the brushes the dishes fall upon the projecting portion ofthe lower conveyor and are carried forward beneath the upper conveyor,which engages their upper portions ICO IIO

` lows thewashing luidfull play `upon the and holds them separately andfirmly between the two conveyers. They are then carried slowly down andimmersed in the iiuid of the tank. This fluid is in a high state ofebullition and dashes against the dishes fromall sides. The agitator istimed to make about six or seven reciprocations, and thus project thesuds an equal number of times against each dish while it passes throughthe tank.I

The network of the reticulated conveyers aldishes and exposes them fullyto the action of the fluid. The dishes then pass upward and outward andare then rinsed upon both sides as they pass between the sprinklers 32and 33. The water coming from the sprinklers 32 and 33 is made very hotby a heater 51, located in. the tank 33 below, and may be used over andover again by meansof a pump 32 of any suitable design. The conveyerwill catch and carry out of the tank the loose particles of foodliberated from the dishes. Therefore it will be seen that the washingiluid in the tank is automatically kept clean. In the event of a dishpassing through the machine without being thoroughly cleaned it can beplaced upon the top'fold of the upper con- -veyer and returned to thestarting-point to pass through the machine again.

I believe myself to be the first to provide a dish-washing machine whichWhile in continuous motion is capable of indiscriminately receiving andgrasping without preadjustment various sizes and kinds of dishes kandeating utensils and of securely holding them immovably'apart from oneanother, so that theycannot clash. and become nicked or broken whilebeing carried through the machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-V 1. In a dish-washing machine, a tank orwashing-compartment, in combination with two reticulatedcoactingdish-conveyers which travel together in and out of thecompartment,

vwith dishes between them, and means whereby the conveyers automaticallyadapt themselves-to various sizes of dishes, su bstantially asdescribed.

2. In a dish-washing machine,.a tank or washing-chamber in combinationwith a pair of reticulated conveyers arranged to travell togetherthrough the tank with dishes between them,and means for regulating thetension of the conveyers and hence their rela- .tion to each other.

3. In a dish-washing machine, a tank or washing-chamber and tworeticulated dishconveyers adapted to travel together through the tank,in combination `with agitating and rinsing-devices, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a dish-washing machine, two oppositely disposed dish conveyersadapted to grasp dishes of vario ussizes between them and provided withmeans for regulating their tension in relation to each other, incombination with a washing-compartment through which the dishes pass,and means for projecting the contents of the tank against thedishes'as'they pass through the compartment, substantially as described.f

5. In al dish-washing machine, a tank or washing-chamber, in combinationwith two endless reticulated conveyers movable to- 8.` In a dish-washingmachine, a suds-tank provided with a pair of adjustable reticulated lconveyers traveling through the fluid in the tank and adapted to holddishes between them, in combination with rinsing devices, substantiallyas described. i

9. In a dish-washing machine, a suds-tank provided with a pair ofadjustable reticulated conveyers traveling through the fluid in the tankand adapted to hold dishes between them in combination with rinsingdevices and an agitator, substantially as described.

10. In a dish-washing machine,a suds-tank, in combination with anendless conveyer composed of network and provided with vbowed spreadbars, which are attached to and span from edge to edge of the conveyer,substantially as described. e

11. In a dish-washing machine,a ends-tank,-

IOO

in combination with an endless conveyer cornposed of network andprovided with arched spread-bars, substantiallyas described. Y

12. In a dish-washing machine, a tank, Ain combination with a pair ofendless conveyers,

an agitator, brushes and devices for washing the brushes.

13. In a dish-washing machine, a tank, in I combination with a pair ofendless conveyers, an agitator,automatically-adj ustable brushes anddevices for washing the brushes.

14. In dish-washing machine, a watertank, in combination with endlessconveyers submerged in said tank and means for keeping said conveyersclean.

15. `Ina dish-washing machine, a watertank, in combination with endlessconveyers submerged in said tank and revolving brushes operating on theconveyers.

16. 'In a dish-washing machine, the combination of a pair of endlessconveyers composed of network traveling together through a tank,sprocket-chains to which the network into and out of the chamber, andmeans for is attached and sprocket-Wheels over which automaticallyremoving foreign matter from the chains pass, and an agitator. thewater, substantially as described.

17. In a dish-Washing machine, a Washing- CLARENCE B. KNOTT. chamber andmeans for agitating the Watel1 In presence oftherein, of means .forautomatically engaging i ROBERT P. KETTLE, dishes of various sizes andconveying them T. M. WALKER.

